Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has blamed himself for City’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester United at Wembley on May 25.
The treble-winning manager was expected to ace the fixture against an underperforming Man United side after he led the club to a record 4th Premier League title.
They started on the front foot, dominating proceedings from the start but were overcome by United’s tactical masterclass pioneered by their manager Erik ten Hag.
Searing under City’s sustained and intense pressure, Manchester United refused to contest possession with City but waited like patient lions to catch out the Premier League champions on the counter.
It perfectly worked out for the Red Devils. Dalot set up Garnacho for United’s first goal, and it came via a long ball from the back.
Josko Gvardiol would have helped out City as he had the chance to clear the ball but a miscommunication between him and City goalie Stefan Ortega led to the goal.
He had attempted to head the ball for Ortega but the goalkeeper was already off his line missing the header. Garnacho was then left free to tap home the ball into an empty net.
United’s second goal was also set up via a long ball before a quick counter saw Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo dart into the City box.
Receiving a pass from the right, Fernandes threaded a beautiful assist for Mainoo inside the box and the Stockport-born youngster made no mistake, tapping it into the back of the net to double the lead.
City would face an uphill task overturning the 2-0 deficit. Second-half substitute Jeremy Doku restored comeback hopes when he scored from the edge of the penalty area in the 87th minute but United held on to secure victory.
Speaking after the game, Pep Guardiola blamed himself for the defeat. According to him, his tactical mistakes led to the loss.
“Because of my decisions, we were not in the right positions to attack them. It was my mistake, my gameplan was not good,” he told Sportskeeda.
“The players know the reason why. Tactically, it was not good, I had a feeling it was not good. It didn’t work, as simple as that,” he added.
While Guardiola missed out on what would have been his 16th trophy with Manchester City, United manager Erik ten Hag won his second trophy in three finals in his first two seasons with the club.
